Rescue operations almost concluded, tracks will be cleared within 36 hours: Indian Railways

The Ministry of Railways today informed that the rescue operations in the Kanpur tragedy have almost concluded and said that all necessary help is being provided to the injured and their families.

"Rescue operations have almost concluded, no passengers at the site now. 97 deaths have been verified and 91 passenger are injured which is not admitted in hospital," said Indian Railways official spokesperson Anil Saxena.

Saxena said that the Home Ministry has also provided all the necessary support to overcome the situation and added that the tracks will be cleared within 30-36 hours.

More than 100 people died and around 150 passengers injured when 14 coaches of the train derailed at around 3 am today near Pukhrayan, about 100 kilometers from Kanpur.

The Railways has announced ex-gratia of 3.5 lakh rupees each for families of those killed, 50,000 rupees for seriously injured and 25,000 rupees for minor injury.

Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu has also ordered an inquiry into the accident. He said the Commissioner, Railway Safety, will inquire into reasons behind the derailment.